Hey Francine, thanks for the good info... I also appreciate the
message you sent re: the recommendation of books on the subject
of triplism, etc.
>
> The Roman invasion of Britain occurred 43-51 CE, ending with the
> betrayal of Caratacus.
Do we have to count that? I retain the impression that Caligula's
foray into Britain did not really establish much of a presence.
> The fourth century CE (possibly earlier) marks
> the beginning of Celtic Christianity.
Yes, I have seen references to Christian martyrs in Britain as
early as 2 something AD, but I agree that the term "Celtic
Christianity" would have referred to something much later.
Probably arising as a relatively distinct (or at least
recognizably 'other') form of Christianity due to the isolation
which ensued when the Roman legions were recalled, and
differences in the way in which the monastic life was viewed, as
well as the prevalence of druidic influences. Bede also mentioned
that Irish monks clung to the Pelagian (I think that's it... help
me here) theory well into the 7th century... it was something
along the line of man not needing an ecclessiastical intermediary
between himself and God... (there was probably more to it, but
that's what sticks in my mind).
>> according to Bede, the first Brethon
>> King to actually convert to Christianity did so somewhere
>> around the 7th or 8th Century.
> Would you please identify what you mean by "Brethon"? If you
> mean Briton (as opposed to Breton), there were Christian
> British kings well before the first English king was converted
> in the sixth century.
That's probably correct, because Augustine converted a Saxon (?)
king named Ethelbert ( or Melissa Ethelridge) or some such thing
in 5 something... [as you can see exact dates are not my forte...
I'm usually ready to throw myself a party if I am in-or-around
the correct century]. I believe that in saying Brethon (Bretons?)
Bede was lumping together tribes of the interior, as distinguished
from the southern kings who had been more under the influence of
Rome.
> Triplism is a characteristic of Celtic and other Indo-European
> deities that long predates Christianity and there are coins and
> statues incorporating triplism that predate Christianity.
thanks again Francine
Mike J